Emily's State Interpreting Certification Test

On February 7th, I (Emily) went up to Richmond to take my Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) test. As you may remember, last May I went to take the written part of the exam. On the 7th, I took the signed portion. After an interpreter finishes their signed portion of the test, they will receive an interpreting level. There are four levels of VQAS; Level 1 holds a minimum of 50% correct, Level 2 holds a minimum of 65% correct, Level 3 holds a minimum of 80% correct, and Level 4 (which only two people have) holds a minimum of 95% correct. There are two different parts - ASL Interpreting and Transliterating, each of these having three categories under them; ASL-to-English, English-to-ASL, and Interactive. The raters grade you on your lowest grade. For example, if I received 80%, 65%, and 65% my grade would be 65% or Level 2.

The test went fairly well. :) I felt more confident because I have been practicing and interpreting for a Deaf friend at church every Sabbath for the past two months. My professions have encouraged me to go for it... and the way I look at it, this was a learning experience either way!

I will receive my grade in approximately 90 days... Please pray for me and that I may give God the glory no matter what... :)

Memories...

The G family have been missing Guam lately... this picture down at Spanish Steps sums up our memories on the island.

Fertilizing our garden

Yesterday a friend loaned us his pick-up and we loaded up some horse manure from a private resident's house. The private resident has two horses so they were glad to be rid of the manure. Instead it smelt like hay and grass. The horse looked at us like we were crazy to want that stuff. But loading it into and out of the pick-up was great exercise. The manure spread over the garden very well. The same friend that loaned us the pick-up truck also told us we could borrow his tiller. This tiller is a gem to use. Last year we used the tiller and we turned over the garden in 15 minutes. With a shovel, it would take us 40 minutes.

I will have photos later, but the camera is with Emily on a sign trip.